Location : - In Jairpur, the
capital of Rajasthan situated in the west of India, you will find one
of the most timeless and culturally independent pieces of architecture
in the world. A place of religion and science still in its own
unsecularized integrity, only comparable with the witnesses

About
the Jantar Mantar : -

Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is one of the five astronomical
observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur.
During the period between 1727 and 1733. Jantar Mantar has a
remarkable collection of architectural astronomical instruments. It
portrays noteworthy attempt of the ancestors, who were interested in
astronomy and knowledge of celestial bodies. Above all, this
observatory still, provides accurate information, which can be
compared with today's modern instruments undeniably. The compound
instruments, whose settings and shapes are scientifically designed
depicts the forte of Medieval Indian Astronomy.

Jantar Mantar is wholly constructed with stone and marble. The
observatory has fourteen statistical instruments for measuring time,
predicting eclipses and to ascertain other astronomical events.
Amongst all the instruments, the Sundial usually attracts the maximum
attention of people, which tells the time to an accuracy of about two
seconds in local time of Jaipur. Jantar Mantar was carefully renovated
in 1901 and was declared a national monument in 1948. Today, Jantar
Mantar has become a major tourist attraction in Jaipur

History : -

Raja Jai Singh had a deep interest in astronomy. He read all the
known works on the subject at the time (c1800's). He also collected
the most advanced instruments he could find. During his studies, he
noted inaccuracies in existing astronomical tables and decided to
produce his own astronomical instruments. Because he felt that the
instruments' size limited their accuracy (they were too small), his
solution was to build gigantic instruments from stone, masonry, and
marble rather than the traditional brass. Today, the instruments
are still used to forecast such things as how hot the summer months
will be, the expected date of arrival, duration, and intensity of the
monsoon, and the possibility of flood or famine.

Samrat Yantra: a 89 foot high and 148
foot wide sundial. When the sun moves across the sky, it casts a
shadow on finely calibrated arms extending on either side. It measures
local time, zenith distances, meridian pass times, and the declination
of the stars. It is used to forecast the crop prospects for the year.

Laghu Samrat Yantra is not as accurate as
the Samrat Yantra. However, it calculates Jaipur's local time to an
accuracy of 20 seconds.

Jaiprakash Yantra: the last instrument
installed in the observatory, it consists of two marble bowls. This
instrument aids in celestial observations and verifies calculations of
other instruments in the observatory.

Rashi Yantras: a collection of twelve
instruments, each representing one of the twelve zodiac signs.
Therefore, each instrument faces a different angle and constellation.
It is used by astrologers to make accurate horoscopes.

Climate : -

Summers are quiet warm with temperature rising up to 45 'C and
proper care should be taken of water intake to stay fit during these
conditions. In winters days are usually fine but during the night time
temperature might drop to about 3 'C.

Best time to visit : -

Jaipur is during the months of October to February.
During this period, the heat of the desert sun is less intense, the
weather is cool and it is the best season for going sightseeing. The
Elephant Festival and the Gangaur Festival are held in Jaipur at the
tail end of March; another good reason to plan a trip as winter is on
the wane and summer is yet to set in.